ABSTRACT
Background: Changes in bone mineral density during pregnancy are not widely studied because of the risk of radiation hazard to the fetus. But newer technology like DEXA has made it possible to measure bone density accurately with low dose radiations which are safe even during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in maternal bone turnover markers and bone mineral content at forearm during pregnancy.Methods: A total of 32 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy of more than thirty five weeks gestational age and thirty non-pregnant, non-lactating women as controls were recruited. Baseline blood investigations, serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase and DEXA of the forearm at ultra-distal, mid radius and proximal 1/3rd of radius were done at the time of recruitment into the study.Results: Bone mineral density of forearm of pregnancy group was compared with non-pregnant, non-lactating control group to see the effect of pregnancy. Bone turnover markers like serum calcium and serum ALP were also compared among pregnancy group and controls. The mean bone mineral density of controls at ultra-distal radius was 0.437±0.058g/cm2, while in pregnant women it was 0.431±0.58g/cm2 that was not statistically significant. Bone mineral density at mid radius in control was 0.599±0.051g/cm2 and in pregnant women it was 0.597±0.048 g/cm2 with no significant difference. BMD at proximal 1/3rd radius in controls was 0.670±0.36 g/cm2 as compared to pregnant women where it was 0.660±0.036 g/cm2 without any statistical significance. Total BMD at forearm in control and pregnant women was 0.586±0.035 and 0.582±0.036 respectively and again there was no statistically significant difference.Conclusions: There is no significant impact of pregnancy on bone mineral density of forearm. Although more bone areas need to be investigated for the further confirmation.
ABSTRACT
Dielectric constant and loss factor of Raj-4120 variety of Indian wheat were determined in powder form (grain size 125 to 150 ) at room temperature. Microwaves at three different frequencies were employed in C-band, X-band and Ku-band respectively for investigating frequency dependence of dielectric parameters of the sample. Bulk dielectric values of the sample were determined by employing the dielectric mixture relations, such as, half power mixture equation, Landau and Lifshitz, Looyenga equation etc.
ABSTRACT
This randomized controlled prospective study was conducted on 100 patients admitted in various units of Lalla Ded Hospital Govt. Medical college Srinagar Kashmir, India during period 2004-06. Among these patients 50 had eclampsia (Group -I) and 50 had severe preeclampsia (Group-II). The patients in each group were then randomly divided into two subgroupsA and B of equal numbers. Subgroup-A was managed with magnesium sulphate and subgroup B was managed with phenytoin. The efficacy in seizure prevention and control of drug regimens used in each subgroup was then compared.Among eclamptic patients treated with magnesium sulphate, there was no recurrence of convulsions, however among those treated with phenytoin, 6 patients (24%) had recurrence of convulsions out of which one had >3 convulsions while others had 1-3 convulsions. The difference in seizure recurrence rate in the two subgroups was found to be statistically significant (p= 0.033). Among severe preeclamptic patients managed with phenytoin, two patients progressed to eclampsia, where as no preeclamptic patient allocated magnesium sulphate progressed to eclampsia; the difference between two subgroups being statistically non significant.
ABSTRACT
These days apolipoproteins especially apo B and apo A I are thought to be better predictors of risk of coronary artery disease as compared to lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol. Lifestyle modification and use of lipid modifying drugs such as statins and fibrates have proven effective in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. Statins and fibrates are known to possess anti-atherosclerotic properties in addition to lipid modifying effects. Extensive data is available regarding lipid modification especially lowering of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels by these drugs. But the data regarding the effect of statins and fibrates, on apolipoprotein levels is scanty. Hence the present study was aimed at assessing the effect of statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin) and fenofibrate on serum apo B and apo A I levels in addition to their lipid modifying effects in various age groups of coronary artery disease patients. One hundred patients suffering from coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to 10 mg atorvastatin, 10 mg simvastatin and 200 mg fenofibrate, separately (without any combination). All the patients were divided into three age groups; group I (35-45 years), group II (46-55 years) and group III (> 55 years). Significant modification was observed in lipid and lipoprotein profile of coronary artery disease patients when treated with these drugs (statins and fibrates). A significant increase in serum apo A I (p < 0.01) and decline in serum apo B levels (p < 0.01) was observed in case of coronary artery disease patients after 16 weeks treatment, though the effect started after 1 month. All the three drugs reduced serum apo B levels in a comparable manner. Fenofibrate increased serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apo A I levels more as compared to statins. It had nearly, proportionate effect in increasing high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apo A I levels and reducing serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apo B levels while the effect was disproportionate in case of atorvastatin and simvastatin. All the three drugs not only corrected lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol levels but also modified, apolipoprotein levels in a positive direction in coronary artery disease patients. Advancing age had no appreciable effect on the efficacy of these drugs.